Alternatives to Tipping

Its been a while since I've seen this come up and we're counting the days till we leave for CSS. (55 more sleeps) When we went to CSS last year we brought some goodie bags for those folks that went above and beyond as well as some who helped us with our wedding. The bags included things like Hershey Bars, ibuprofen, coloring books & crayons, cold meds, flip flops, spray stuff for the guys, lotion for the ladies and more. There is no way my husband is going to let me take an entire bag of goodies down like we did last year. I'm starting my collection of items that are MUCH smaller this year. I'm bringing some inexpensive reading glasses, Hershey bars, big and bold earrings for the ladies and some bottles of ibuprofen. Does anyone else do this? If yes, what do you bring and how do you hand them out? I was very discreet about it as I didn't want to upset anyone.

We are going to CSA in 20 days for the first time but have been to the Carribean a few times now, we are taking with us some `England` football shirts as we know the guys love them and some perfume and smellies as well as big bars of chocolate for the women

Cannot wait to experience this resort as it sounds so great on these message boards, hope you enjoy your holiday

We are going to CSA in 20 days for the first time but have been to the Carribean a few times now, we are taking with us some `England` football shirts as we know the guys love them and some perfume and smellies as well as big bars of chocolate for the women

Cannot wait to experience this resort as it sounds so great on these message boards, hope you enjoy your holiday

Di & Karl

Good ideas! I'm always trying to come up with something for the guys. You'll have to let us know what you think of the resort although I doubt very much you'll be disappointed! It really is lovely.

we typically book our trips in early April, so I take along all the Easter chocolate that always seems to accumulate at our house (we have two young boys) along with me and hand baggies of them out to staff with a pre-written, signed note saying that it is a gift from us so the staff will be allowed to take it off the property. Last year one of the CN entertainment staff members took her baggie with her on her day off to give to her nephew and nieces. All the staff really enjoyed the treats!

I just wanted to bump this to see if anyone has any suggestions from their recent trip. All ideas are welcomed . Last time I stayed, I made sure to write down the names of all the staff (I could remember) on exit survey. I also brought some chocolates for housekeeping. We are going to Couples Negril (that's where we stayed last time). What about the entertainment staff? We tend to spend a lot of time with them.

We use one of the water glasses and fill it with chocolates each day with a note for the HOUSEKEEPER (they're not "maids") and mini bar staff, and replenish it daily. We keep the bags in the fridge to keep the little ants at bay. We also take some to our friends at the spa (YES WE TIP OUR SPA MASSEUSE VERY WELL IN CASH AS THIS IS ALLOWED). We took gifts for one of our favorite servers who had a new baby, along with a note outlining our names and room number as is required. We've taken birthday gifts for friend's children, along with the accompanying notes with our names and room number.

As has been stated ad-nauseum...don't tip. You don't want these wonderful people to lose their jobs.

Unopened bottles of over-the-counter (adult and child) ibuprofen, aspirin, cough syrup, cough drops. We became friendly with one of the bartenders, and he had hurt his knee playing football. We had a bottle of (opened) ibuprofen which we gave him. He was beyond happy, as these meds cost a LOT in Jamaica….

They usually appreciate most anything, however, if you know their names, please write them down on the exit survey. I know they also appreciate that. I remember one year, we had a very bubbly waitress one night, and I forgot to write her name down so I would have it for the exit survey (I am terrible at remembering names, but usually can remember faces). So the next night I saw her at the restaurant again, and went to find her to get her name before we left. When I asked her for it so I could add it to the survey at the end of the night she was ever so happy and grateful, and just kept saying "thank you". This does mean something to them.

We usually bring ball caps for the guys, lotions/earrings for the ladies.Also, can't forget the sweets, mini chocolate bars, candy, gum. We too bring a few school supplies along. This year reading the above posted as well as other forums I will be buying small travel sized first aid and medicine supplies. I also make sure to write our name and room number when giving/leaving these lil gifts.
Cheers

This is ways a touchy subject with some......first and foremost be sure to write down the names of staff members you feel go above and beyond. We took Hershey bars and left for housekeeping everyday with a little note that said something like thank you have a great day. I am a quilter so we took a couple of them last visit, I gave one to Mama Vera on the cat cruise and left one for our housekeeping on the day we were checking out with a note thanking her for taking such good care of us. Housekeeping is a great bunch of ladies, they work hard and we always had fresh towels and our bed was turned down every night with a card on it. Will do the same this year.

Bought some goodies today! Can't wait to give/hand them out! Got a little crazy this year, but it's all good. So excited to return to Negril since being away since 2011. Now, I just gotta figure out how to put it all in my carry-on...lol

Having made friends with on the the employees at CSS, we learned Housekeeping get most of the gifts. Don't forget about all the other hard working staff!! It's easy to leave something on the bed for housekeeping, but spend some time and reward the others as well. Even if just through a handshake, smile, and thankyou.
And most definatley, record their names on your checkout form!

I have 5 small bags for every nite we are there. This is what I will be bringing...
~bag w/ toothbrushes, floss.
~bag w/ fun hats for the kids.
~bag w/ shirts for the staff.
~bag w/ chocos for the staff.
~bag w/ more goodies for the staff.
Can't wait to pay it forward!